Dentures are a common solution for people who have lost some or all of their natural teeth. They restore the appearance and function of teeth, allowing people to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. However, wearing dentures also comes with certain challenges, particularly when it comes to food choices. Being a first-time denture wearer, you should understand what foods you should avoid so that your dentures can remain for a longer time and cause minimal discomfort. Here, we shall talk about the top foods to avoid with dentures, offer tips on caring for dentures, and recommend other food options suitable for denture wearers.
Denture Care Tips
Apart from those that should be avoided, first-time denture wearers usually need to learn the way to care for their dentures properly:
- Clean Your Dentures Daily
- Soak Your Dentures Overnight
- Handle Your Dentures with Care
- Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Foods for Denture Wearers
While there are some foods that should be avoided with dentures, there are also many that are safe and easy to eat. Here are some foods that are good for denture wearers:
- Soft Foods
Soft foods such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, or yogurt are easy to chew and gentle on dentures. These types of foods are also a good option for those who are still getting used to wearing dentures.
- Cooked Vegetables
From what has already been said, denture wearers find it quite challenging to chew crunchy vegetables. However, boiled broccoli and steamed carrots are soft, which makes them easier to chew.
- Soft Fruits
The same principle that applies to vegetables applies to fruits. Avocados, peaches, or bananas can easily be crushed or cut into tiny pieces, thus making it easier for them to be eaten by denture wearers.
- Seafood
Seafood is a good source of protein and can be a good option for denture wearers. Soft seafood like salmon, tuna, or shrimp can be easily chewed and provide important nutrients.
Foods to Avoid with Dentures
- Sticky or Hard Foods
Most importantly, as a denture wearer, you must remember to avoid sticky or hard foods. What will happen when the food sticks in your denture is that it will cause soreness, and it might as well break the denture. Caramels, taffies, and chewing gum often get stuck to dentures. For example, hard foods such as nuts, seeds, or hard candies cause excessive pressure on the dentures, causing them to break or become lose.
- Tough Meat
These are also other types of meats that denture bearers have a hard time when chewing. The reason being chewing tough meats such as steak or pork puts a lot of pressure on your dentures. Most likely, your denture will get displaced or will become dislodged after chewing those tough meats. It is better to eat those kinds of meats by avoiding them completely or cut them up into smaller pieces before eating.
- Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Some fruits and vegetables can be quite difficult to consume with dentures, despite their diet being essential. Crunchy fruits and vegetables include apples, carrots, and celery. They can be torturous for people with dentures to chew. These foods are best eaten after boiling, making them soft enough that even those with dentures can enjoy chewing them.
- Carbonated Beverages
Beverages such as fizzy drinks, sodas or those made sparkling by adding carbonated water do not seem to amuse denture wearers. The carbonation causes air bubbles under the prostheses, which subsequently loose or discomfort through bringing such bubbles under the dentures attached. Avoid using these kinds of drinks, or better still, use a straw to sip the drinks to minimize contact with your prosthesis.
- Hot Foods and Beverages
Also, consuming hot foods or drinks can be a disadvantage to a denture wearer at that time. Such heat causes her dentures to warp or become malformed, rendering them uncomfortable to wear. It is best to cool off hot foods and beverages before ingestion.
First-Time Denture Wearer Guide
Adjustments can be difficult if you are just starting to use dentures. Here are some tips to help you get through the initial period.
- Take Things Slow
When you first get your dentures, it is important to start slowly with your food choices. Start with soft foods, and then gradually introduce more foods that are harder to chew as you become more comfortable with your dentures.
- Speak Aloud to Practice
Speak aloud to hone your voice, since it may feel strange speaking with them initially-but you’ll feel good once you’re able to get used to it. For best results, practice reading with others, or invite family and friends to help you converse.
- Patience is Key
Remember that learning to wear dentures does require some time, so learn to wait. You may find that it takes several days to weeks or even months to adapt fully to their wearing.
- Get Denture Adhesive
You may want to consider using a denture adhesive if your dentures feel loose or slip. These products can usually betters your denture fit and comfort.
Care Tips for Comfort and Longevity
Therefore, when you wear dentures for the first time, you must understand the foods to be kept away from to give comfort and durability to the dentures. Avoid sticky or hard foods, tough meats, crunchy fruits and vegetables, carbonated beverages. It would be best to observe food in hot temperatures and beverages.
In addition, there should be proper care of dentures, like daily cleaning, overnight soaking, gentle handling, and regular visits to the dentist. If you’re looking for effective dentures in Calgary, get great services at the Market Mall Denture Clinic to ensure that your dentures are made to fit and function effectively. Although there may be adjustment issues associated with new denture wear, with time and a bit of effort, you will be able to return to eating a wide variety of foods.